BMW to electrify its most popular models
BMW is rethinking its electric car strategy. Amid lackluster sales of its all-electric i3 and hybrid i8, the automaker is reportedly planning to launch electric versions of its 3 Series, X4 and Mini Cooper.
BMW needs a jolt
The Munich-based automaker's sales, profits and dividends are booming, but its foothold in the e-car industry isn't reflective of its market clout in other sectors. But BMW has a master plan, according to a report in a German newspaper on Monday.
i3 and i8 aren't enough
Until now, BMW has been developing ultralight battery-powered vehicles made of carbon fiber. The all-electrical i3 and the hybrid i8, with their trademark glowy blue trim, make up about 1 percent of BMW's total sales.
Bestseller
BMW sells about 25 times more 3 Series than it does i3s or i8s. In fact, one in four cars sold by BMW is a 3 Series, making it the company's most popular vehicle. The above photo shows the model's evolution over the years.
E-SUVs
There's also talk of electrifying BMW's X4 sport utility vehicle, which should actually be fairly easy for the company's engineers. The X4 is tall, leaving plenty of space for the kinds of bulky batteries necessary to turn a car into an e-car.
E-Mini
As if the Mini wasn't zippy enough already, BMW is reportedly now also considering a return to electrical models of the iconic speedster. BMW already tried that once, but the attempt was cancelled after the company began developing the i3 and i8.